Don’t be a stranger! The importance of regular dental check-ups

Most people are aware that in order to maintain oral health, brushing and flossing at least twice a day is must. But often times another important variable, regular dental visits, gets put on the back burner. We encourage all of our patients to schedule a cleaning and exam at least twice a year.

The general rule of thumb is to visit your dentist for a regular cleaning and exam every six months. However, lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet and the quality of the patient’s oral hygiene routine, as well as conditions such as diabetes and pregnancy, may make more frequent visits necessary. Seeking out an individualized treatment plan from your dentist is the best way to go in order to prevent unnecessary and costly problems from popping up. We can’t stress enough that prevention is the best cure when it comes to dentistry. We understand that time and finances as well as issues with insurance can be problematic, but we would encourage you to make it a priority to seek preventative dental care. If issues go undetected and untreated for long enough, they can cause more extensive damage, which will be more uncomfortable, expensive and require more invasive treatment as time goes on.

A large number of dental woes, such as cavities and gum disease, can be prevented by timely visits with your dentist. The benefits of regular dental check ups include:

A detailed dental examination, in which your dentist with check your teeth, gums and surrounding tissues for caries, disease and oral cancer

X-rays may be done at this point to check for cavities in between teeth, as well as any issues that may be forming below the jawline, such as impacted wisdom teeth or misalignment.

Of course, a detailed cleaning and polishing will be performed by your dentist or hygienist in order to remove plaque and tartar buildup.

There is increasingly more evidence linking oral health with overall health. For example, it has been found that patients with gum disease are more likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke. Taking great care of your teeth can be viewed as an investment in your future health and wellbeing, along with a proper diet, exercise and regular medical checkups. So, if you are overdue for a cleaning, call us today to book a visit. We look forward to seeing you!